Expanding the Limits of Robotic Thyroidectomy: Management of a Rare Presentation of Thyroid Carcinoma With Supraglottic Extension.

Abstract

Thyroid carcinoma ranks as the seventh most common malignancy globally by incidence, though its mortality remains relatively low. We present a rare case of papillary thyroid carcinoma in a 32-year-old male, with supraglottic extension of the right thyroid lobe, managed successfully using a robotic-assisted bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA). The total operative duration was 4 h, and the postoperative course was uneventful, with early recovery and excellent cosmetic outcome. Histopathology confirmed multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma (mpT2N1b) with central and right selective neck node metastases. This case expands the boundaries of robotic thyroidectomy, demonstrating its feasibility and safety even in anatomically challenging scenarios. It emphasizes the potential need to revise current selection criteria as surgical expertise and robotic precision continue to evolve.